The Taproom Podcast

Host Mike sits down with Jeremy Schultz (owner) and Matt Bolden (head brewer) of 1852 Brew Co. in Visalia to tell the story of their ‘‘footy & brews’’ concept: indoor soccer fields paired with a family-friendly taproom and a locally rooted brewery. They talk brand origin, community-first design, and how soccer shaped the DNA of the business.

Matt shares his path from homebrewer to head brewer, the brewery’s pilot system and brewing philosophy, and highlights core beers like the West Coast "Unite & Strengthen," Breakaway Blonde, the Bumpy Pitch pale ale and the red ale "Never Walk Alone." Jeremy and Matt discuss consistency vs. creativity, self-distribution, local food-truck partnerships and signature projects like the Todos Juntos/Unity on Tap fundraiser beer that funnels proceeds to local nonprofits.

Episode takeaways: the importance of team and community, how a niche experience (soccer + beer) creates reliable foot traffic, the work behind the taproom and brew house, and the founders’ growth and franchising ambitions. Expect warm storytelling, brewing details, and practical insights for anyone building a local hospitality brand.

Episode 180 of the Taproom Podcast features hosts Mike with guests Jenna Marquez and Matt Taylor of Tap Yard (and Drybox) in Tulare. They discuss opening and building a family-friendly taproom, adding Drivebox golf simulators, the 5,000 sq. ft. patio and LED Brewview wall, and curating a local craft beer lineup featuring 1852, Salty Walrus, Crow & Wolf, Firestone and more.

Key highlights include their Tap Yard Lager collab with 1852 that donates $1 to a new local nonprofit each month, rotating food trucks and events (karaoke, dueling pianos, line dancing, comedy), the penny-covered bar contest, memorable guests like David Walker, and how Tap Yard supports and revitalizes downtown Tulare.

Expect stories about community-first hospitality, scheduling challenges during big events like the World Cup, and practical details for visitors—what to drink, where to sit, and why Tap Yard has become a local hub for beer, music and family-friendly fun.

Host Mike sits down with Jeremy "Jerm" Rodriguez of Beachwood Brewing to trace his decade-plus journey from bartender to brewer, blender and distiller. They discuss Beachwood’s IPA roots, the long-game patience behind the blendery’s lambic-style sours, building a distillery from scratch, and awards that validated their work. The episode also touches on brewery culture, customer experience, family life, nerdy hobbies, situational beers and behind-the-scenes stories from the brew deck.

Episode 178 of the Taproom Podcast: a thank-you episode hosted by Mike with co-host Luis. They recap recent brewery visits, brewroom updates and the festival run — including stories from TapYard Tulare, 1852 brewco aka Footy & Brews, Salty Bear and many more guests and breweries featured throughout the year.

Topics include Level Up’s expansion and taproom plans, competition wins and entries (Brewer’s Cup, California State Fair, GABF submissions), road trips to Russian River, Morgan Territory and other standout taprooms, and behind-the-scenes talk about brewing, collabs and secret seltzer experiments.

Key points: gratitude to the craft-beer community and listeners, the sacrifices of running a brewery, upcoming two-year anniversary plans and merch, ways to support the show, and a preview of future collabs and recordings on the road.

Join Mike for episode 177 of the Taproom Podcast recorded live at the L.A. Independent Beer Fest in Long Beach. Mike chats with brewers and brewery reps from Beachwood, Feathered Serpent, Old Stump, Gladiator, Beer Paper, Ambitious Ales, La Bodega, Tapyard, and more. Expect tasting notes on pilsners, West Coast IPAs, rice lagers, fruited sours, and unique beers like Secret Stash, People Pills, and specialty Japanese lagers.

The episode features interviews with Jeremy (Beachwood), Jerome (Peachwood), Chew, Garrett (Ambitious Ales), Abraham (La Bodega), Steven (Gladiator), Jeff (Old Stump), Yvette (Feathered Serpent), Alex Lucio (Smog City/Lucio Brewing) and others. Topics include festival memories, favorite beers of the day, collab wishes, beer style debates (hazies vs. West Coast), pool-day beer picks, and tips for new podcasters.

Expect a lively, informal vibe with on-site festival ambience, behind-the-scenes chat about pouring and brewing, shout-outs to local taprooms, and a few sloppy, slurred moments that capture the day’s fun. Perfect for craft-beer fans who want brewmaster insights, festival recaps, and recommendations for what to drink next.

Host Mike sits down with Jeff Alworth, author of The Beer Bible, in a lively Father's Day episode exploring craft beer culture around the world. Expect stories from Fuller's in London to lager country in Germany and the Czech Republic, plus the deep dive that went into writing and updating The Beer Bible.

Topics include beer traditions (Belgian lambics, German lagers, Czech styles), the rise and plateau of hazy IPAs, fresh-hop season in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, modern hop products and brewing technology, and the difference between brewery vibe and product. Jeff also answers the show’s “Four Pack” and “Six Pack” rapid-fire segments.

Listeners will get travel anecdotes, recommendations for overlooked styles and breweries, reflections on how beer reflects culture, and practical takes on what to keep in your fridge. A friendly, approachable hour of beer history, tasting notes, and insider perspective for fans and curious drinkers alike.

Episode 175 of the Taproom Podcast — host Mike sits down with Dylan Prater of Mother Road Brewing in Flagstaff to explore the brewery’s story, history, and community role. Dylan shares how Mother Road started in 2011, the growth to a production facility, and the taproom’s focus on "radical hospitality."

Topics include the Arizona 250 lager (the state celebration beer), the flagship Tower Station IPA, the pilot brew system and creative one-offs (including a massive quad IPA), the diner-style pub menu, and local collaborations and events like the Amp Ale and the Flagstaff Brewery Trail.

Expect casual behind-the-scenes stories, beer recommendations (Daily Driver, Double Six, Tower Station), reflections on building community in Flagstaff, Dylan’s outdoor lifestyle (climbing and local trails), and tips for visitors — all delivered with a warm, conversational vibe.

Episode 174 of the Taproom Podcast: host Mike sits down with Mike Durrant and head brewer Kevin Wright of Hops and Fog Brewing (Pacific Grove) to trace the brewery’s origin story from homebrewing to opening day, changing brewers, and building a community-focused taproom.

They discuss standout beers (the Kolsch KPA, Westie, Crush Mike, Tidal Haze), brewing challenges and day-to-day maintenance, evolving beer trends and yeast science, the local food scene and chef-driven menu, pub culture, events and collaborations, and why community matters to a small brewery. Guests share behind-the-scenes stories, favorite beers, and tips for newcomers to craft beer and brewing.

Episode 173 of the Tap Room Podcast: host Mike sits down with Marin Slanina of Spindle Tap (now Spindle Tap Beverages) in Houston to explore how a decade-old brewery evolved into a diverse beverage destination. Maren walks through their coffee roastery, THC/delta‑9 drinks, non‑alcoholic taps, ready‑to‑drink cocktails, Cosmic Ice Cream, and the new branding that reflects all offerings under one roof.

They discuss Spindle Tap’s community focus and event-driven approach—Spindle Park’s activities (putt‑putt, pickleball, disc golf), private event spaces, and specialty releases tied to events like Micro Wrestling. Maren also covers hospitality challenges, running a taproom, production logistics, and how craft beverage experiences are curated from menu presentation to team training.

The episode includes quick segments—favorite beers and guilty pleasures, situational beers, rapid‑fire “six pack” questions, and upcoming events like LA Beer Fest. Tune in for a lively behind‑the‑scenes look at building community, creativity, and resilience in today’s beverage world.

Episode 172 of the Taproom Podcast features Dustin Baker, co‑founder and head brewer of Roadmap Brewing in San Antonio. Host Mike and Dustin cover his path from middle‑school teacher to brewery owner, the story behind the Roadmap name, and how the taproom and brew house were built and developed since opening in 2018.

The conversation dives into Roadmap’s brewing philosophy—quality over quantity—favorites like lagers and West Coast IPAs, their award‑winning pilsner “All Right All Right,” tank names, community events, local collaborations, and the challenges of running a small, community‑driven brewery in the evolving San Antonio beer scene.